The 26-mile Lagan Navigation was constructed in the 18th Century to transport bulk
commodities between Belfast and Lough Neagh.

During the 19th Century the Lagan Navigation flourished until rail and road
competition made canals non-viable and by the 1950s the Lagan Navigation
was abandoned with ownership passing to Government.

Formerly used by horses to tow barges along the canal the 'Towpath' allows
uninterrupted access between Belfast and Lisburn and is extensively used by walkers,
joggers and a range of passive recreational interests. It forms part of the National
Cycle Network (Route 9) linking Belfast to Portadown and Newry.

Over recent years an upsurge of water-based recreational interest has led to
renewed enthusiasm for the re-opening of Northern Ireland’s abandoned canals
in general and the Lagan Navigation in particular.